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Masatoshi Ito, Japanese billionaire behind the rise of 7-Eleven, dies at 98

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:56 GMT

(CNN) — Masatoshi Ito, the Japanese billionaire who turned 7-Eleven convenience stores into a global empire, has died aged 98, closing the chapter on one of Asia’s most storied retail entrepreneurs.Seven & I Holdings, operator of 7-Eleven, confirmed the death in a statement on Monday, adding that Ito died from old age on March 10.“We would like to express our deepest gratitude for your kindness and friendship during his life and respectfully inform you of his passing,” the company said.Ito transformed everyday retail in Japan, turning a US-born company into an international brand, particularly in Asia where 7-Eleven shops are rarely more than a few minutes’ walk away in many cities.Seven & I Holdings now operates over 83,000 stores around the world, including 7-Eleven shops in 19 regions and countries as well as the Speedway convenience store chain in the United States.Chief competitors include the Japanese-owned Lawson and Family Mart convenien...

Only 13 countries and territories had ‘healthy’ air quality in 2022

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:56 GMT

(CNN) — Only 13 of the world’s countries and territories had “healthy” air quality last year, according to a new report, as air pollution surged to alarming levels in 2022.The report by IQAir, a company that tracks air quality worldwide, found that average annual air pollution in roughly 90% of the countries and territories analyzed exceeded the World Health Organization’s air quality guidelines, which are designed to help governments craft regulations to protect public health.IQAir analyzed average air quality from 131 countries and territories, and found that just six countries — Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland and New Zealand — and seven territories in the Pacific and Caribbean, including Guam and Puerto Rico, met the WHO air quality guidelines, which call for an average air pollution level of 5 micrograms per cubic meter or less.Seven countries — Chad, Iraq, Pakistan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Kuwait and India — ha...

Row over Gary Lineker’s anti-government tweets like ‘Putin’s Russia,’ claims Labour

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:56 GMT

LONDON — Gary Lineker’s temporary removal from BBC hosting duties over tweets attacking the U.K. government is like something out of Vladimir Putin’s Russia, the opposition Labour Party charged Tuesday.In a heated House of Commons exchange, Shadow Culture Secretary Lucy Powell made the link to the Russian leader’s regime, known for brutal press crackdowns — but was swiftly branded “disgraceful” by her government counterpart.It marks the latest clash over the Lineker row, which has consumed attention in Westminster and prompted criticism of the U.K. broadcaster over the past week. Lineker — one of the BBC’s most recognizable stars — was removed from a hosting duties after using Twitter to attack Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s recent immigration clampdown, likening the language used to sell it to 1930’s Germany. He was reinstated Monday after a walkout by fellow stars and as BBC bosses ordered a review of social media guidelines.Speaking during an urg...

Pacific heights: With AUKUS, Britain finds new place in the world at last

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:56 GMT

SAN DIEGO — In 1958, America shared the secret technology which enabled Britain to deploy nuclear-powered submarines for the first time. This week, the two countries joined forces with a third power to sign a new accord which U.K. military top brass say is equally profound.The AUKUS — Australia, U.K., U.S. — defense pact is a three-way cooperation program which essentially brings the former into the nuclear sub club while extending Britain and America’s reach into a Pacific region rapidly becoming the key global theater for the century to come.It underlines an almost dizzying switch of focus for the U.K., as officials scramble to reconsider and recalibrate Britain’s place in the world after Brexit.On Monday, as Sunak was in San Diego, California, to sign the multi-decade, multibillion-pound deal alongside President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia, U.K. Foreign Secretary James Cleverly was in the House of Commons to unveil the British government’s updated I...

Csean Skerritt indicted for alleged murder of boy, 13, remains held without bail

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:56 GMT

The 34-year-old Chelsea man accused of driving to Mattapan on a Sunday morning in January and gunning down 13-year-old Tyler Lawrence will continue to be held without bail following his indictment in Superior Court.Csean Skerritt, 34, appeared in the Suffolk Superior Court dock five days after a Suffolk County grand jury indicted him on March 9 on charges of murder in the first degree, possession of a firearm without a license, possession of ammunition and carrying a loaded firearm.The firearms charges are increased in severity due to a rather extensive criminal record and their having been subsequent offenses. Skerritt pleaded not guilty to each charge.Skerritt is accused of murdering 13-year-old Tyler Lawrence before noon on Jan. 29, a slaying capping off a horrific first month to the new year that began with the disappearance — and subsequent murder investigation — of Ana Walshe, of Cohasset; and then the tragedy out of Duxbury where mother Lindsay Clancy is accused of strangling...

Dolphins bringing back RB Raheem Mostert on two-year deal

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:56 GMT

The Miami Dolphins are bringing back running back Raheem Mostert, his agent, Brett Tessler, announced Tuesday morning.The return of Mostert is a piece to the Dolphins’ backfield puzzle this offseason as the team began free agency with all of its active-roster tailbacks from last season entering free agency. Rumors have been swirling of Miami exploring options for trades for top running backs like the Titans’ Derrick Henry or Vikings’ Dalvin Cook.Mostert’s contract is for two years and $5.6 million with $2.2 million guaranteed, according to NFL Network. ESPN reported the deal can be worth up to $7.6 million with incentives.The news on Mostert comes after the Dolphins also re-signed fellow running back Salvon Ahmed, who was entering restricted free agency, on Friday. Jeff Wilson has also expressed interest in returning to the Dolphins in 2023.Mostert led the Dolphins in rushing last season with 891 yards on the ground. Returning from a torn ACL in 2021, his fin...

Heaviest rainfall from incoming storm expected overnight

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:56 GMT

SAN DIEGO — More rain is on the forecast Tuesday for San Diego County.An incoming low pressure system is expected to move from Northern and Central California in the morning to the San Diego area Tuesday afternoon.The heaviest rainfall is expected to hit Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, according to the National Weather Service.Current forecast models project light showers around the county starting in the early afternoon, with more widespread rainfall after 3 p.m.The majority of the county is expected to see anywhere from one to one and a half inches of rain, NWS San Diego said in a tweet. Some parts of North County and East County could see as much as three inches of precipitation. National City teacher pleads not guilty to over a dozen felony charges, including sex abuse charges Strong and gusty southwest to west winds are also expected Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday. Peak gust winds as high as 60 mph are possible near Mt. Laguna, with more central areas of the county...

Singh says budget will have money for dental care as NDP push for another GST rebate

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:56 GMT

OTTAWA — New Democrat Leader Jagmeet Singh says he thinks his party has more leverage to push for things it wants in the next federal budget, which is set to be released March 28.He says there will be money in the budget to expand dental care coverage to teens, seniors and people living with a disability, which was part of that deal. But he also wants to see the Liberals extend the six-month boost to the GST rebate introduced last fall.Singh says his budget priority is helping Canadians find ways to save money through rebates or other cost-of-living initiatives like helping fund school lunches for children. Singh says he’s not looking to end his party’s confidence and supply agreement with the Liberals.Nearly a year ago, the NDP agreed to support the minority government in key votes, including the budget, until 2025 — in exchange for movement on shared priorities.This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 14, 2023. The Canadian Press

Apple-Books-Top-10

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:56 GMT

US Bestseller List – Paid Books 1. Worthy Opponents by Danielle Steel – 9781984821812 – (Random House Publishing Group) 2. Storm Watch by C. J. Box – 9780593331316 – (Penguin Publishing Group) 3. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus – 9780385547376 – (Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group) 4. It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover – 9781501110375 – (Atria Books) 5. Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid – 9781524798635 – (Random House Publishing Group) 6. Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson – 9780593490709 – (Penguin Publishing Group) 7. It Starts with Us by Colleen Hoover – 9781668001233 – (Atria Books) 8. Rocked by Love by Melissa Foster – No ISBN Available – (World Literary Press) 9. Burner by Mark Greaney – 9780593548110 – (Penguin Publishing Group) 10. Verity by Colleen Hoover – 9781538724743 – (Grand Central Publishing) The Associated Press

Apple-Apps-Top-10

Published Thu, 20 Feb 2025 11:15:56 GMT

Top Free iPhone Apps: 1. CapCut – Video Editor, Bytedance Pte. Ltd 2. YouTube: Watch, Listen, Stream, Google LLC 3. TikTok, TikTok Ltd. 4. Instagram, Instagram, Inc. 5. Facebook, Meta Platforms, Inc. 6. Snapchat, Snap, Inc. 7. Gmail – Email by Google, Google LLC 8. WhatsApp Messenger, WhatsApp Inc. 9. Messenger, Meta Platforms, Inc. 10. Google Maps, Google LLCTop Paid iPhone Apps: 1. Minecraft, Mojang 2. Shadowrocket, Shadow Launch Technology Limited 3. Bloons TD 6, Ninja Kiwi 4. Heads Up!, Warner Bros. 5. Plague Inc., Ndemic Creations 6. HotSchedules 7. Papa’s Freezeria To Go!, Flipline Studios 8. Geometry Dash, RobTop Games AB 9. Red’s First Flight, Rovio Entertainment Oyj 10. Procreate Pocket, Savage Interactive Pty Ltd The Associated Press